City Council Minutes 01-10-1978MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
January 10, 1978 -- 7:30 P.M.
Members present: Con Johnson, Arve Grimsmo, Dan Blonigen,
Gene Walters, Phil White.
Goals and Objectives for 1978.
Mayor Con Johnson opened the first meeting of 1978 by reviewing some of the
major accomplishments and projects completed during 1977 and mentioned the
follotiging goals and objectives for consideration in 1978:
1) Suggested that the 1978 Street Improvement Program be considered for
completion in one year rather than phasing the project over a two
year period.
2) Suggested that stricter punishment be adopted for persons caught
destroying or vandalising city property.
3) Lengthening the mayor's term in office from the present two year term
to four years.
4) Adoption of the Uniform Housing Code.
5) Review and increase councilmen's salary beginning in 1979•
6) Suggested that an "Open House Day" be held on Sunday, April 30, 1978
to enable the public to view all city buildings, including the new city
hall, maintenance building, liquor store, warming house, dog pound, etc.
1. Consideration of Setting Regular Meeting Dates.
A motion was made by C. Johnson, seconded by P. White and unanimously
carried to set the regular council meeting dates on the second and fourth
Mondays of each month at 7:30 P.M.
A suggestion was made to have an additional full day each month set aside
as a regular council meeting date but the consensus of the council was to
hold special all day meetings only as needed.
2. Appointment of City Functions and Duties.
A motion was made by C. Johnson, seconded by D. Blonigen and unanimously
carried to approve the following appointments of functions and duties for
1978:
Acting Mayor: Gene Walters
Council Representative, O.A.A. Board: Arve Grimsmo
Police Commissioner: Phil White
Health Officer: Dr. Donald Maus
Civil Defense Director: Doug Pitt
Regular Meeting - Jan. 10, 1978
City Attorney: Gary Pringle
Building Inspector: J. W. Miller
City Auditor: Gruys, Johnson & Associates
Official Depositories: Wright County State Bank, Security
Federal Savings & Loan
Official Newspaper: Monticello Times
3. Presentation on Public Officials Liability Insurance.
Mr. Jim Foster of Foster's Insurance Agency, made a presentation to the
city council relative to Public Officials Liability Insurance.
Mr. Foster and Gary Pringle, City Attorney, reviewed with the council the
possible types of situations when the council or city employees may be
liable for their actions resulting in potential law suits both against
the city and individually.
Mr. Foster presented two proposals on Public Liability Insurance Coverage
ranging from $1100 to $5176 annually, depending on the amount and type of
coverage.
After discussion by the council, councilman P. White was appointed to meet
with Jim Foster to review and recommend a policy coverage that could be
brought back to the full council for consideration at their next meeting.
4. Removal of Snow Fence.
On previous occasions, there have been council inquiries on the removal of
the snow fence at the former Fullerton Lumber site.
The present owner, John Sandberg, requested that the snow fence be allowed
to remain until the weather permits the complete removal and clearing of
all debris on the property. Mr. Sandberg indicated that a safety problem
may exist if the fence were removed prior to the removal of all the debris
since people may be walking across the property once the fence is removed.
P. White made a motion, seconded by A. Grimsmo and unanimously carried to
allow the fence to remain at the Fullerton Lumber Yard site until May 1,
1978.
5. Ordinance Amendment - Culvert Requirements.
A motion was made by G. Walters, seconded by P. White and unanimously
carried to amend ordinance section 10-3-5-D-8 pertaining to driveway
design requiring all driveways to have at least a 12" culvert unless the
lot is served by storm sewer or determined unnecessary by the building
inspector. (See Ordinance Amendment 8-15-75 #44.)
6. Consideration of Advertising for rids on Former Senior Citizens Center Site.
At a previous meeting, it was the consensus of the council that the former
senior citizens center property would be sold after the demolition and .removal
of the old building.
Regular Meeting - Jan. 10, 1978
The building has been recently demolished and the property cleared but the
consensus of the council was to table any action on the sale of the property
at the present time.
7. Approval of Bills.
Motion was made by P. White, seconded by A. Grimsmo and unanimously carried
to approve the bills for the month of December, 1977: as presented. (See
supplement 1-10-78 #1.)
8. Consideration of Resolution SelectinZ Airport Site for Further Study.
G. Walters, member of the Joint Airport Committee discussed with the
council a letter received from the Minnesota Department of Transportation
in regards to the next recommended phase of the Joint Airport Study
between.Monticello, Maple Lake and Buffalo.
The first phase of the study has been completed and the Joint Airport
Committee must still select a site for further study under Phase II.
The City Council of each city, if they approve of the recommended site for
further study, would pass a resolution to proceed with the Phase II of the
study.
G. Walters made a motion, seconded by P. White, to adopt a resolution approving
of the potential site referred to in Phase I as the combined site for further
study in Phase II. In favor: G. Walters, C. Johnson, P. White, A. Grimsmo;
opposed: D. Blonigen. (See Resolution 1978 #1•)
9. Consideration of Exterior Sign - City Hall.
Presentation was made by G. Wieber, City Administrator, on the different
types of exterior signs that could be used at the new city hall.
Motion was made by P. White, seconded by A. Grimsmo and unanimously carried
to approve the exterior signs at the new city hall consisting of 1211 and 9"
stand off letters with #3 aluminum finish at a cost of $424.50 exclusive
of installation.
10. Department Head Quarterly Meeting.
A quarterly meeting with the following department heads was held:
Don Hozempa: Wright County Sheriff's Department
Paul Klein: Fire Chief
Doug Pitt: Civil Defense Director
Karen Hanson: Senior Citizen Director
Mike Rajala: Public Works Director
Mark Irmiter: Liquor Store Manager
Gary Wieber: City Administrator
J. W. Miller: Building Inspector
Regular Meeting - Jan. 10, 1978
Council discussion with the department heads included a review of the
"Snowbird" parking policy ordinance with the sheriff's department, and a
review of the newly remodeled senior citizens center building with Karen
Hanson, Director.
Civil Defense Director, Doug Pitt, discussed with the council what help
the Civil Defense should offer to Monticello residents in case of a
potential flooding of personal property and homes. The City Administrator
was instructed to research this question and report back to the council.
A quarterly report on the fire department's activities during the past
three months was presented to the council. Council also discussed the
possibility of reimbursing fire department personnel for their time
spent on building inspections for certificates of occupancy.
The City Administrator and Fire Chief will be meeting to discuss a per hour
fee that could be presented to the council for approval.
Mark Irmiter, Liquor Store Manager, briefly updated the council on the
liquor store operations and sales for 1977. The 1977 financial state-
ments will be presented to the council at a later date.
In addition, the council discussed a possible increase in building permit
fees with J. Miller, Building Inspector and some future equipment needs
with Mike Rajala, Public Works Director.
11. Approval of Minutes.
The minutes of December 12, 1977 were approved unanimously on a motion
made by A. Grimsmo, second by P. White.
12. Miscellaneous Items.
1. Some of the Downtown Retail Merchants requested that the City Parking
Lot located between the Harry's Auto Supply building and Johnson's
Warehouse building be posted for two hour parking in an effort to keep
the all day parking out of this lot. By council consensus, the parking
lot will be posted with a two hour time limit.
2. City Administrator was instructed to obtain quotes on the possibility
of hiring a professional cleaning service for daily cleaning of the
new city hall building.
3. A special meeting was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Thursday, 1-28-78 to
review the 1977 Street Improvement Project plans with the City Engineers.
Additionally, the council will be viewing the streets throughout the
city on that day.
Meeting Adjourned.
Rick Wolfstelr,
Asst. Administrator